What a nice day on the east side (of the crest). Long discussions
followed between, Jim, Kim, Gwen and I on just what "eastern Washington
meant". We all knew...we were in central WA. East...who the heck knows
where that starts :)

I'd been hankering for a trip up Swakane Canyon. It would be interesting
how the burn back in 2009 changed the area. Found out an area already
open and sparse on tree cover can get more open and more devoid of shade
on a hot day.

The "trail" is really just a gated road. It does not follow the Canyon.
Instead the road climbs up the north side of the canyon nicely gaining
elevation and then it swings around to the east and then heads north.

Lots of flowers about. Some might say not many but for this area...I
think this was about peak. Lots of lupine and balsam root about. A lone
scarlet gilia had us all dumbstruck. We followed the roads through many
twists and turns until about 3 miles in you hit the obvious "turn around
point", the natural dike that makes a nice spot to take a break and have
lunch. Kim hung around her stalking lizards while Jim, Gwen and I hiked
further up the road til we got to some north slopes and yet another
change in flowers...finding shooting stars of all things.

At a nice convenient spot on the road (switchback) we turned around and
headed back to the meeting spot to find Kim hiking up the road to meet
us. Lots of shutter delay on the hike back down to the car. A nice
sunny and warm day.